iplaywithnoshoes
03-06-2017, 01:29 PM
These are the first bullets which I have cast myself after culling any wrinkled, rounded out, or incomplete first casts. Can you guess the molds that these have been dropped from?
In any case, I have been having a hard time determining if these are good casts at all. I am using Lyman #2.
Some observations, the ones that came out with minimal imperfections were a bit frostier but how much frost is too much?
-The 500gr mold is dropping bullets at about 475-476gr. I culled everything not falling within this weight range (475.5±0.5gr.) I estimated about 480gr for a 90-5-5 alloy. These drop at about .460".
-The 170gr .309 bullets have been kept at 171gr. varying by 0.5gr. They looked noticeably better than the larger pills.
-I had to learn into casting how to keep the temperature of the melt consistent so perhaps this may have led to varying texture and perhaps porosity.
Likely, the 480gr bullets are actually too hard for any practical load that I can develop with them so I may have to melt them down anyway. :(
Here is the photo:
189813
Any spots or interest on these casts and the problems I should look for or correct in casting is much appreciated. I can provide more pictures later if needed.
shoe
In any case, I have been having a hard time determining if these are good casts at all. I am using Lyman #2.
Some observations, the ones that came out with minimal imperfections were a bit frostier but how much frost is too much?
-The 500gr mold is dropping bullets at about 475-476gr. I culled everything not falling within this weight range (475.5±0.5gr.) I estimated about 480gr for a 90-5-5 alloy. These drop at about .460".
-The 170gr .309 bullets have been kept at 171gr. varying by 0.5gr. They looked noticeably better than the larger pills.
-I had to learn into casting how to keep the temperature of the melt consistent so perhaps this may have led to varying texture and perhaps porosity.
Likely, the 480gr bullets are actually too hard for any practical load that I can develop with them so I may have to melt them down anyway. :(
Here is the photo:
189813
Any spots or interest on these casts and the problems I should look for or correct in casting is much appreciated. I can provide more pictures later if needed.
shoe